Yet another title from my N64 days. Banjo Kazooi is one of the many games I played a ton during my late childhood. I won’t ever forget the many hours sitting my happy butt in front of the television and playing this game… And, asking my dad to beat a level for me!

69. Star Wars: Empire at War

RTS games captivate me like few games can. Star Wars: Empire at War is no exception to that feeling. In fact, I found myself loving Empire at War more than most RTS games I’ve played simply because it is Star Wars.

Now, it’s hardly the best RTS around… The game has many flaws. But, the one thing I just adored about the game is how well implemented the space and land battles were. While the land battles were hardly anything to get excited about, as they quickly got boring over time, the different perks for planets were interesting and well crafted. As for space battles, this is where Empire at War shined. The space battles were exciting, brutal, and just a beauty to watch. They could be chaotic or a simple skirmish. With each space battle, I found myself loving the game more and more.

As far as story goes, the game takes place a little before A New Hope… But, that’s about it. Nothing about it is too not worthy—except, of course, the space battles!

68. Warcraft III

Warcraft 3, much like Starcraft 2, often saw play time during my time in college dorms. A few people in my hall would get together and just play Warcraft 3, Diablo 2, and Stacraft 2… The time playing these games with them were a blast and I loved every second of it.

Now, as far as RTS goes, Warcraft 3 is probably one of the best out there. The over all story of the game is engaging, with each campaign shedding a different light on the world. I found myself so engaged with fall of Arthas, I felt for him and hated him at the same time. Few games have ever made me feel that away about any character and for that, I love Warcraft 3.

67. State of Decay

Fairly new, only a few months old, but it is without a doubt one of the best survival games I’ve ever played. State of Decay is survival game I have been wanting for years, and while it may lack in some areas, the content for the game exceeds many AAA titles that I can think of. Plus, the price point of 20 bucks (u.s currency of course) for this massive game is just astounding.

Undead Labs has created one hell of a game, and for it being their first game I am super anxious to see what they will do in the future.

66. Total War: Shogun 2

I’m a huge fan of the Total War series… And, after the crap that was Empire: Total War, I’m glad Shogun 2 brought the series back to its roots. Shogun 2 is a beautiful game with some of the most epic battles I’ve seen in any RTS or game. The campaign to take over Feudal Japan is a slow one, but pays off in the long run. It can be hard, exciting, and brutal at times…

My only complaint, Shogun 2 is a horrible machine hog.

65. Castle Crashers

Castle Crashers is a fantastic party game with a ton of charm. It shines when playing with others and going through the story of the game. A group of friends and me played this game for many hours over and over again just for the sheer joy of it. The game is awesome fun and one of the best PSN/XBOX Arcade titles out there… Plus, the PSN has volleyball minigame… I love that volleyball minigame!

64. Pokemon Yellow

The very first Pokemon game I ever got. I unwrapped the sucker on Christmas day and jumped for joy, instantly ignoring all my other gifts and shoving the cartridge into my shinny new (green) gameboy color. For the remainder of my Winter break I played Yellow… Growing through many batteries in the process (or what seemed like a lot). At the end of the day, Pokemon Yellow is what started my eminence love for the Pokemon series. The game was near perfect, making it possible to get all 3 original starters in the game, instead of trading them over!

63. Unreal

One of the first games I ever played. Back in the 90s, I would simply just watch my dad play games (until he got me an N64 and gameboy), but there was an exception… My dad would occasionally let me play Unreal—granted, he hovered over me and watched me play in 10-20 minute bursts. Nonetheless, though, Unreal is one of my favorite games and gaming memories. I still remember escaping the prisoner ship and exploring the huge world that ship crashed on. The combat was fast and exciting, the world huge and diverse, and just a solid FPS that didn’t hold your hand as you played through the game.

62. Star Wars Galaxies

Galaxies was my first foray into MMORPGs. I remember it was like yesterday, creating my little Wookiee and landing him on Tatooine as the starter planet. From there, I joined the Rebellion and soon after a RP Guild that had a focus on RPPvP. I spent many months, days, and hours absorbed in this game. The sheer pleasure I got from traveling the galaxy in my own personal ship (Yay Jump to Light Speed!) was some of the best moments in Galaxies. My guild even had our own space unit, which I was a part of, which would often fly as a unit in Space PvP.

The PvP for this game… Was simple amazing and some of the best I ever took part in.

61. Roller Coaster Tycoon

I’ve got a soft spot for Roller Coaster Tycoon. A big soft spot. I absolutely love this franchise. That might be odd to say, but Roller Coaster Tycoon let me create my own dream theme park, along with the ability to create some really exciting roller coasters. I spent many hours during my late childhood/early teens playing the heck out of this game. Then, I simply forgot about it until I had this itch to play again a few months ago after talking to one of my TOR guildies about it.

In preparation for Total War: Rome II, I’ve stumbled back into the original Rome: Total War! Well… Sort of…

I’m not really playing the original Rome: Total War, as I’ve installed a wonderful mod for the game, Europa Barbarorum. EB is a total conversion mod that changes, enhances, and improves many aspects of the game, while also attempting to be just a little more historically accurate. It's one of the best Total War mods I've seen for any of the Mods, and worth looking at for an extra challenge in Rome: Total War!

Randompluginhere: Third Age: Total War is an amazing mod for Medieval II Total War, Yes.. I know… Not Rome, but Third Age is worth looking at if you’re a fan of Lord of the Rings! I've been geeking out to it, switching back and forth between EB and TA campaigns! (If you want links to either the EB mod or TA mod, I'll post them in the next blog!)

With all that said, I’ve started a new campaign taking on the role of Rome! And, I would like to share my journey of forging an Empire with all of you!

There will be times that nothing happens, but I will attempt to find something for each turn… Even if it’s Bah Blah Blah is sitting his happy rump in Rome.

Also note, I'm playing on Medium/Medium difficulty with no cheats. This playthrough will be clean, so hopefully I don’t fail in the middle of it! If I do, well… That’s just embarrassing on my part! (Even more so since Medium/Medium is easy. I just didn't want to fail!)

Now, without further ado:

The first 3 Years, 12 turns, of my EB Rome Playthrough! With extra Starting Info!

Senatus Populusque Romanus

Romani

The Family and Diplomacy

A rushed family tree using names!

Territories/Cities

Eturia--------Arretium

Umbria------Ariminun

Latium-------Roma

Campania----Capua

Apulia--------Arpi

ALLIES: ENEMIES:

Safot Saftim biQarthadast Aedui

Arverni

Epeiros

Eleutheroi

Key

S1= Spring

S2= Summer

S3= Fall

S4= Winter

Each S# = A turn

Et, ita, nos incipiunt.

The Infant Empire

Chapter I: The Beginning of Roma

S1—272 B.C.

In hopes of securing the border, Lvcivs Cornelivs Scipio marches to the southern border of Campania. This move, however, causes the vile Epeiros to move their forces to the Apulia-Kalabria border.

Word of war has reached the ears of Roma. The distant kingdom Arche Seleukeia is at war with the Kingdoms of Pontos, Hayasdan, and Baktria

The Roman Representative, Caivs Fabivs Lieinvs, is sent by Manivs Cvrivs Dentatvs to the north to end hostilities with the Gallic tribes, Aedui and Arverni.

S2—272 B.C.

Cnaevs Cornelivs Blasio marches south from Arretium to aid Cornelivs Scipio in securing the borders. However, before Blasio can arrive, Scipio engages Epeiros forces along the Apulia-Kalabria border.

The Battle of Borders

Scipio leads roman forces, with Captain Dionysios leading the Epeiros forces. The battle is short, resulting in Scipio hunting down every Epeiros soldier.

Equorum belli impetum!

After the battle, Scipio sends the spy Spvrivs Papirivs Carbo to infiltrate the Eperios city, Taras. Shortly after sending Carbo on this mission, Scipio leaves his post along the Apulia-Kalabria border and marches towards the city.

Fabivs Lieinvs meets with representatives of the Aedui. After several hours of talks, Lieinvs convinces the Aedui to a ceasefire, while also opening trade with their people.

S3—272 B.C.

In a bold strike, Cornelivs Scipio lays siege to the city of Taras instead of wait for Cornelivs Blaiso, who continues to march south to aid Scipio.

Manivs Cvrivs Dentatvs sends the spy, Appivs Aemilivs Seavrvs, to infiltrate the city of Segesta, in preparation for a future incursion.

Caivs Fabivs Lieinvs meets with the Arverni representative. A peace is reached with the Arverni, while trade is also established. Caivs Fabivs Lieinvs begins his journey back to Roma.

S4—272 B.C.

Despite it being out of season, Cornelivs Blaiso marches into Kalabria in hopes of joining Cornelivs Scipio. Upon entering Kalabria, Blaiso sent word to Scipio of his inevitable arrival. In return, Scipio holds of his capture of Taras and keeps the city under siege for the remainder of the winter.

S1—271 B.C.

Cornelivs Blasio finally reaches Cornelivs Scipio’s forces, and merges his army with Scipio’s. Once Blasio’s forces were settled, Scipio started the attack on Taras. Thanks to the guile of the Romani spy, Spvrivs Papirivs Carbo, the gates were opened to Scipio and Blasio’s army.

Battle of Taras

Scipio+Blasio for Romani, Captain Archeias for Epeiros.

The battle was short, with a minimal amount of casualties for Scipio and Blasio. Eperios fell back to the City Square for a last stand, but was quickly crushed. Romani victors!

After the battle, Spvrivs Papirivs Carbo is sent south to the city of Rhegion in Bretta. After Carbo leaves towards Rhegion, Blasio rallies the remaining forces within Taras and marches to the southern border of Kalabria. Scipio is left to maintain the newly captured City alone.

The Romani Agent, Spvrivs Papirivs Carbo opens the gates, much like he did at Taras, allowing Romani forces to enter unimpeded. However, the forces of the Ivbellivs were ruthless and held strong against the advancing Romani forces, causing the battle to last a good while before Romani began to gain the upper hand as they pushed the Ivbellivs back into the city square.

Blasio and Cotta achieve a victory, taking the city and putting down all that opposed them. The victory came at a great cost, though… Many Romani soldiers died during the battle.

Else where in the world, Caivs Fabivs Lieinvs with Helenos Aiakides of Epeiros. A ceasefire and trade agreement was established.

After his dealings with the Epeiros, and despite the winter weather, Licinvs began his journey to the neighbors of Eperios, Koinon Hellenon and Makedonia.

S1—270 B.C.

Lvcivs Cornelivs Scipio is voted into the office of Quaestor.

Caivs Avrelivs Cotta leaves Rhegion with a handful of men, leaving Blasio to establish order in the city. The spy, Spvrivs Papirivs Carbo, is sent north.

S2—270 B.C.

Licinvs meets with Chermonides Aithalidos Attikos of Koinon Hellenon and Antigonos Argeades of Makedonia. He establishes trade with each of the Kingdoms.

Why not join the crowd and make a list of the games that I simply loved this year! There were many fantastic games, but these were my favorite! However, I’ve split them into two groups!

Top 5 Favorite Arcade/DLC Games of the Year

5. Ms. ‘Splosion Man

The humorous Ms. ‘Splosion Man is one fantastic game to play. It’s challenging, to the point of frustration, but it’s worth it. I found myself wanting to complete just one more level anytime I turn it on, wanting to beat my previous time in the levels. The co-op is great and keeps with the humorous tone of the single-player game.

4. Dungeon Defenders

A great RPG dungeon-crawling like tower defense game. I was pleasantly surprised by this game, as I never intended to play it. The TD aspect is great, while the third-person action can grow extremely engrossing and intense. Not to mention, the game is a blast when playing with others (which you should.) The dungeon-crawling aspect is simply the massive amount of loot that can help make your character better. There is always a new item to get, whether it is good or bad. It’s great party game with a lot of replay value.

3. Bastion

A jewel of an RPG. The story is fantastic. The narrative beautiful. The must engaging. And art style just stunning. There is nothing more I could say about the game… Except, go play it! NOW!

2. Orcs Must Die

I have a weakness for Tower Defense games. And Orcs Must Die is the best one I’ve played in a long time. The third-person action mixed with TD is perfect. There is a certain charm about the game that just captures you from the world go. It becomes extremely challenging, but in a good way.

1. Beyond Good and Evil HD

One of the most compelling games I’ve had the pleasure of playing. The story doesn’t slow down at any point, everything feels like it leads to the end, and the characters that make up the world are fantastic and funny. I missed out on Beyond Good and Evil the first time around, so I can’t say how well (graphically) it is compared to the original, but the HD version looks great. It was my favorite game from XBLA this year.

Top 6 Favorite Retail Games of the Year

(YES SIX!)

6. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

I love RPGs. More importantly, I have loved The Elder Scrolls since first stepping into the world of Morrowind. There is something about the series that just draws me in. The lore is rich, the graphics are beautiful, and there just seems to always be something more to do. I can’t help but find myself exploring, wanting to see every inch of the world. There is something in Skyrim for all to enjoy, if you can look past those blasted (sometimes humorous) bugs.

5. Shogun 2: Total War

I’m a sucker for Total War games. I love strategy games and the Total War series is one of, if not the, best around. The graphics are beautiful, the game is fairly challenging, and the battles are just stunning to watch. I’ve lost hours upon hours towards the game already and I’m extremely happy that I have. I’d recommend this game to anyone with a yearning to play a great strategy game.

4. Star Wars: The Old Republic

Okay, it hasn’t come out yet… But, I was accepted into beta early August and got to continue playing until the final beta weekend. And, you know what? I loved every bit of the hours I spent in the game. I’m anxious beyond belief for the game (yay early access!) and can’t wait to actually get to keep my characters! Just a few more days!!!

3. Portal 2

Amazing puzzles. Amazing characters (both in Co-Op and out). And just a blast to play. I can’t get enough of the dialogue between Wheatly and GLaDOS. It’s smart, funny, and just great to hear. It’s an amazing sequel, surpassing the original in every single way. I can’t explain or express how much I love this game… It was near perfect in my book, bested only by two other game this year.

2. Deus Ex: Human Revolution

Deus Ex is one of my favorite series of all time and Human Revolution keeps my love the series going. It’s one hell of a game and it allows you to play to your preferred style. You like to run and gun? Go for it. Want to be a stealthy ninja type? Go for it! There are multiple paths to achieve a goal, none of which are right or wrong. The characters don’t develop much as the game progresses, but the story itself is simply stunning. The twist and turns are fantastic, with music that is probably the best I’ve ever heard in a game. If you haven’t played it, do yourself a favor and go do it… NOW!

1. The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings

Without a doubt this is the best RPG in a long time. Skyrim is fantastic. Mass Effect is epic. Dark Souls is challenging. But, none of these games have the beautiful complex story that The Witcher 2 has. The game captures you and keeps you playing through it with amazing characters, story, and fantastic cause and effect that makes you feel like what you’re doing matters. The characters are life-like in ways that seem almost unnatural, they have flaws, are ambitious, and simply more engrossing than most games have had. The story is riddled with twist and turns that is truly affected by what you do as a player and what you do to other characters.

I could go on and on about The Witcher 2… It’s a beautiful game, graphically and story wise. I love the game and it may just have taken the spot as my favorite RPG of all time.

And, that’s my list! There are several other games that I could have put, and I really wanted too (almost feel like I should have a top ten ha!), but these were the ones that stood out to me the most!